Describe Image tasks form an important part of the speaking module of PTE Academic. It measures your speaking skills as well as your ability to think on your feet. Describe Image task contributes solely to your PTE speaking score (speaking, pronunciation and oral fluency).

If you score well in this section, you will get an overall good speaking score. As far as the current PTE Academic pattern is concerned, 6-7 questions based on the Describe Image format appear in the test.

In Describe Image questions, an image is displayed on the screen, and you get 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to respond.  If you hesitate or do not speak fluently, you will get a low score, even if you describe the image perfectly.

There are 8 types of images that typically appear in the exam:

1. Bar Graph
2. Line Graph
3. Pie Chart
4. Table
5. Process Diagram
6. Map
7. Venn Diagram
8. Pyramid

Take a look at our Describe Image template to score better in this task:

• Bar Graph

There are two types of bar graphs that appear in the exam- vertical and horizontal bar graphs.

You have to begin the description of a bar graph by stating the name of the topic, exactly as it appears on the graph. In the second and third sentences, you may state the highest and lowest figures on the graph, in any order. Next, you can talk about any similarities, big differences or any other significant features that can be seen clearly in the graph.

Sample Describe Image Template:

This horizontal/vertical bar graph depicts the information regarding ….. The data is presented/calibrated in ….. It is crystal clear from the graph that ….. has the highest ….., at …., whereas, ….. has the lowest, roughly ….. Apart from that, ….. and ….. have almost similar number of ….., approximately ….. In conclusion/Overall, it can be seen that ……

• Line Graphs

There are basically 3 types of line graphs that appear in the exam- single line, parallel line, and cross/multiple line graphs.

In line graph tasks, describing “trends” is of utmost importance. You can divide the description of each line graph into 3 parts: the starting value, the middle value and the final value.

It may help to make use of vocabulary such as:

“the figures fluctuated between …… and …….”

“the figures rose sharply to reach a peak of ……”

“the number gradually declined to reach a low of ……”

“it gradually rose, peaking at ……”

“the number eventually decreased/increased to ……”

“after several ups and downs, it touched a peak/low of ……”

Sample Describe Image Template:

This line graph highlights the …… over a period of …… from …… to …… The number was highest in …… at ……, and the number gradually declined, to reach a low of …… in …… On the other hand, at ……, the number of …… was the lowest in ……, and it gradually rose, peaking at ……, and eventually decreased to …… In conclusion/Overall, it can be seen that …..

• Pyramid

In Pyramid-based tasks, you only have to read out text that you see in the pyramid. The heading/title can mostly be found in the middle of the pyramid. It is a multi-level image, with a number of items under each level. As we go from bottom to top, the number of items progressively decreases. For describing pyramids, you have to start from the bottom level and work your way to the top.

Sample Describe Image Template:

The given pyramid outlines ….. At the lowest level, the …. are the major factors that ….. Thereafter, ….. At the third level, ….. The next level showcases ….. Finally, at the top of the pyramid, …..

• Pie Chart

This is one of the easiest images to describe, with each slice of the pie chart corresponding to a value, you can simply mention the highest and lowest figures and any other significant feature that can be seen very clearly in the pie chart.

Sample Describe Image Template:

The slices of the pie chart illustrate …… The data is presented in form of …… It is crystal clear from the pie chart that the lion’s share of …… is covered by ……, followed by …… Moreover, …… However, the smallest part is covered/occupied by …… In conclusion/Overall, it can be said that ……

• Table

Sample Describe Image Template:

This table depicts ….. It is crystal clear from the table ….. On other hand, ….. It is also evident that ….. Overall, it can be inferred from the table …..

• Process Diagram

Sample Describe Image Template:

The given process diagram shows the life cycle of a/an …… in various/different steps/stages/procedures. Initially/In the first step/stage, …… Furthermore, it’s transformed/developed/converted into …… After sometime/In the next stage, it is further converted/developed/transformed into …… Finally, …..

• Map

Being familiar with the names of countries makes it easier to describe images based on maps. If you are unable to memorize the names of all the countries, try to memorize the names of at least those countries that appear regularly in the news. In case you forget the names, it may help to use terms like Northern countries, Western countries, etc.

Sample  Describe Image Template:

The given map shows ….. among different countries. To begin with, countries in the West such as ….. and some parts of ….. are ….., followed by countries in the East such as ….. On the other hand, developed and developing countries such as ….. and adjacent countries are ….. Finally, in ….. and at the centre of the map, ….. Overall, it can be seen that the majority of areas in …..

• Venn Diagram

Sample Describe Image Template:

The given Venn diagram depicts information about ….. It is crystal clear from the Venn diagram, that …… On the flip side/On the contrary, ….. However, they also share certain characteristics, such as ……

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